The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports the fire, called the Pagami Creek Fire, made an “unprecedented run” traveling 16 miles to the east on Monday. It’s located about 14 miles east of Ely.

So far, 36 homes have been evacuated along County Road 7 just north of Isabella. The blaze had already forced officials to evacuate more than 100 campers threatened by the fire and smoke.

Bergerson said that if anyone is planning a trip to the BWCA, they should call ahead to see which entry points are closed. Several lakes to the east and south of the fire, including a hiking trail system, have been closed. Campers and hikers are being moved from the area and some were evacuated by National Forest Service float planes.

Crews of four Minnesota National Guard helicopters have been dispatched to the area by Gov. Mark Dayton. The helicopters are equipped with buckets to make water drops.

Other airplanes and helicopters are also being used to drop water to slow the spread of the fire. Crews on the ground are patrolling the north side of the fire to monitor any spread. So far, nearly 200 personnel are assigned to fight the fire.

The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross is responding to help residents affected by the growing Pagami Creek Fire.

“This afternoon, volunteers from the Northland Chapter are moving shelter materials, cots, blankets and refreshments to the Community Center in Finland, which has been established as a reception and evacuation center by Lake County,” Tony Guerra, Red Cross Preparedness Coordinator said in a statement released Tuesday.

The Minnesota DNR has enacted fire restrictions for areas inside and outside the BWCA.

I live in northern Illinois. We smelled something burning about an hour ago. Still smell it, see no signs of fire so I called the police to report/inquire. They said that what we are seeing and smelling is from the Minnesota forest fires.

Lightning causes most forest fires in the Western US, according to the above article. So yes, it’s possible that a cloud-to-ground strike caused a 20,000 fire. But not instantly, obviously, it takes a few minutes for a fire to spread.